Hey guys! This is an amazingly great forum! This is my first post, but I've checked out a good deal of the threads for a while now. Hopefully, this won’t come out too badly.


I suppose it would be a good idea to tell you about the situation. I’m a Ford guy. I’ve only ever owned fords, and rarely driven anything else. I’ve had 2 – ’77 F-250s, 1 2wd, the other a Factory Highboy 4x4 – a ’84, and ’90 Bronco II (lifted 7” on 33’s), as well as a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2, And my recent purchase of a 2008 Ford F-150 FX4 super cab. Blue Oval! Next step is a Ford Racing Tattoo… But enough of that. I’m surrounded by the Bowtie boys, and the dodge guys. I need a hand gathering info, and recommended parts for a (budget) blue oval powered decimator. Just want to shut them up.

Application: The ’77 f-250 Highboy, my Mud Toy. Factory lift(4”?), 3” body lift, divorced transfer case, np435 top loader, Though I believe it may have come with a 360? The original owner... Put it this way, He knew the truck worked, and didn’t care about anything else. D60 rear, High pinion 44 front. Standard cab long bed. I am currently running 35x15x16.5’s, though I would LOVE to switch to maybe a 13/13.5 wide, and change rim sizes so I have better beads until bead-locks are acquired.

Future Plans: Dedicated Mudder – Rockwell’s, 44’s, and new 10” total of lift. For now though, street able for in-town jaunts for future work on the truck. Or I may just keep it as is, though with a Hp D60 steering front.

Target/Desired Outcome: At least 400 HP/TQ, naturally aspirated, and exceedingly reliable. Any more than that is welcome! But I’m searching for the minimum 400 of both, if possible.

Constraints: Not looking to buy a new block (have 2 to work with), And I Don’t want to spend more than $5000 after a stroker kit (which I will explain). If need be, so be it though.

My experience (if it helps): I’ve done a few engine swaps for/with friends, changed the heads on a 390, done a few trans/t-case swaps, few bolt on mods here and there, But that’s about it.

References: If it helps, I’ve been closely following Jef Perkin’s build, and a build Carcraft has done.

Jeff’s: http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41324
Carcraft: http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles..._fe/index.html

What I have: (I am checking, and writing down the block numbers tonight when I get home)
390 block 2v 4bbl from a 68 Galaxy
75,000 original miles
10,000 miles off a poor rebuild (looks and runs as if original 100,000 miles)
Everything else is stock minus a cheapo-msd rip-off distributor/coil
Everything else is pretty much going to go.


The Plan:
I wanted to go with the Prison break 445 Stroker kit from Survival motorsports, which requires going .030 over. I Wanted to make the basis of my build. After that is where things get a bit fuzzy for me.

From my research, I would like to go with: (from top town)

Carb: Holley/Edbrk. 750 double pump, or truck avenger (due to odd angles when wheeling)
Intake: Edelbrock Performer RPM
Rockers: Depends on the cam type, right? If so, No Clue.
Rocker-shaft end stands: Should i be grabbing those for support?
Heads: Edelbrock, assembled, changing springs to match cam specs
Lifters: Probably go with the Survival lifters, depending on the cam
Pushrods: Not a clue
Camshaft: Need help with this. Would love a nice low lope, aggressive and mean. Need a cam that’s got potential for HP and TQ, in an operating range that would suit what the motor will run with that stroker kit, which I also don’t know.
Ignition: need some input here.
Most of the lower end stuff comes with the kit.
Oilpan: I want to go to at least a 7qt rear, or possibly dual sump? It’s for mudding, and will see odd angles, which direction should I head? Not to mention the windage tray.
Oil pump: Probably a pump to match the pan?

Headers I have, though the make/type is unknown. They are rusting through in a spot or two, and will soon need to be replaced as well. Probably go with the super stock header plug wires so they wont melt. Full Fel-pro gaskets are in order.

Machining:
I will more than likely have everything ported/polished to match.
What should I look for as far as deck height, piston deck, and squish go? Or will I need the parts to figure out the stack first? Sorry, this is way above me at my level.

What kind of machining, porting/polishing do I need? As well as oiling modifications to my otherwise stock block?

Accessories:
As it stands, the motor/wiring harness are set up for Alternator (which I may as well replace), and power steering (which the whole system will be replaced).

Also, in relation to the ignition system – I was thinking of going with a new wiring harness from Painless Performance. This would increase the energy going to the coil/distributor increasing spark, therefore horse power, correct? Seems like a very good investment. Though my wallet won't feel too good




Is there anything I overlooked?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I value any and all input. Questions will be answered as fully as possible, and as quickly as I can, so please don’t hesitate to ask! And please correct me if I am wrong!

Dave